2025 will bring change to healthcare and your organization! It’s likely that you’ve already seen changes in performance metrics and goals. Succeeding in 2025 means a sharper focus on efficiency, cost savings, sustainability, and patient care; staying ahead calls for fresh ideas and smart planning. Here are 10 practical ways supply chain professionals can make a big impact in 2025:
1. Tap Into the Power of Data Analytics
Tap into analytics tools that let you keep an eye on usage patterns, more accurately forecast demand, and spot cost-saving opportunities. Improving reporting can save you from the headaches of stock-outs or overstocks, all while improving procurement decisions.
2. Standardize Products and Vendors
How up-to-date is your formulary? Work closely with your clinical and finance teams to update your item master for current products and preferred vendors. Standardizing makes inventory management simpler, builds stronger vendor relationships, and leads to greater savings. If you’re a current Envi user, you know your item master is the glue that holds your supply chain together!
4. Embrace Automation
Consider adding automation tools to your arsenal. From Auto-POs to barcode scanning inventory, technology solutions will save time, boost accuracy, and cut down on manual errors, making your job a lot easier.
4. Team Up With Your GPO
How good of a partner is your GPO? A great GPO is always helping your dollars go further, as you purchase more strategically, and achieve better prices and terms for the supplies you use most often. If you’re not working with a GPO today – or yours isn’t delivering the savings and efficiencies you’d like – consider Provista. As the GPO that’s here to save you money, Provista’s focus on health systems delivers both the price improvements and supply chain services needed to improve day-to-day operations.
5. Maximize Solution Integrations
Efficiency and automation ramp up when technology solutions are integrated and data sharing is enabled. For example, most Envi-based organizations have taken the step to integrate Envi with their clinical and financial systems, making it easier to automate all the way from patient scheduling through invoice payment.
6. Go Green with Sustainability
Why not make your supply chain more eco-friendly? Look into reusable surgical instruments, cut down on packaging waste, and partner with suppliers who prioritize sustainability. It’s a win-win for the planet and your bottom line.
7. Be Ready for the Unexpected
Supply chain disruptions can happen – from product shortages to natural disasters like hurricanes and wildfires – so it’s smart to have a solid risk management plan in place. Proactively manage inventory and consumption, so you’re a step ahead of predicting product needs while avoiding overstocking. When it’s smart, diversify vendors to help you stay resourced when facing supply chain issues.
8. Train Your Team
A well-trained team is a more powerful team. Offer regular training on Envi and other supply chain automation tools and best practices to help prep everyone for 2025 and be ready to tackle the year with even better results.
9. Stay on Top of Regulations
Regulations are frequently updated and compliance issues directly impact supply chain operations, so it’s vitally important to keep up. Make sure you’re compliant with regulations on medical device tracking, waste disposal, and supplier standards to avoid surprises.
10. Patients at the Center
At the end of the day, supply chain decisions impact patients and your organization alike. Look for the best practice-based supply chain strategies that support both.
The past few years have brought an endless stream of challenges for supply chain professionals! Yet the supply chain remains the place where real change can happen. Use these practical tips to help build a supply chain that’s efficient, resilient, and aligned with your organization’s goals. Here’s to a successful and rewarding 2025!
